Talking machine and attachment therefor



Sept 28 1926 N. PEMBERTeN-BILLING 1601598 TALKING MACHINE AND ATTACHMENTTHEREFOR Filed AuguS't l5. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheetvl Sept 28 1926 N.PENBERToN-BiLLING 1601598 TALKING lMACHINE- AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR 2sheets-sheet 2 A Filed August 15, 1922 Il' IITOR Patented Sept. 28,1926.

umTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NOEL PEMBERTON-BILLING, 0F LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0WORLD RECORD LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, .A BRITISH COMPANY.

Y TALKING MACHINE .AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR.

Application filed August 15, 1922, Serial No. 582,018, andy in GreatBritain March 31, 1922,

This invention consists in improvements in or relating totalking-machines of the disc-record type and attachments therefor andrelates primarily to improvements vin the apparatus described andclaimed in my co-pendino application Serial No. 582019.

A feature of the present invention consists in a modilication of thatpart of the subject-matter of my co-pending application which cornyrises, for a gramoplione in which uniform speed of the spiral groove ofa disc-record in relation to the stylus-point of the recording' orreproducing gramophone is desired, the combination with a drivenfriction-wheel adapted to track with its periphery on or approximatelyon the spiral of the record-surface and to traverse along a straightline fixed in space and radiating from the centre of rotation of therecord, and a constant speed-governor geared to the said friction-wheel,of a unitary' `attachment comprising the aforesaid frictionwheel andgovernor and secured* to the gramophone and comprising means which areoperated from thefrecord and which are employed to traverse saidfriction-wheel across the record-surface along the straight lineaforesaid. The modification consists in the above-mentionedVfriction-wheel being now a driving-wheel and instead of driving thetraversing means from the record they are driven from the turntable orfrom any part rotatable therewith or with the record but not from therecord itself. Y

A. further feature of the present invention consists in means fortraversing the Vsaid friction-wheel across the record-surface along thestraight line aforesaid comprising means which are operated by arotatable disc mounted in operative connection with the lrim of therecord orof the turntable or of any part rotating' therewith.

The invention. also includes other features, such as the rotatable discabove described Q' as a'driver andthe friction-wheel of try attachmentconstituting a driven Wheel `actuzuted by contact with therecordsurface; modifications in the formation of the .edge of adisc-record and in the form of a disc .comprising part .of the drivingmechanism for the traversing means; and of the construction of theunitary attachment. All the foregoing and other 'features of theinvention will, however, be more clearlyl understood withreference tothe accompanylng drawings, 1n wlnch-Y Figure 1 is avpers'pective view ofvan attachment applicable to existing or other;

gramophones for controlling the speed of the record in the mannerdescribed;

, Figure 2 is a view of the parts shown in Figure 1 looking from theback thereof;

Figure 3 is a'section Vthrough the rod 17 and lead-screw 18 in a planeparallel with that of the wheel 22 looking from the front of Figure 1';

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a mechanism similar to that shown inFigure 1 and y looking from the front of that iigure, with certainmodifications;

Figure 5 is a view showing the frictiondisc 35 in Contact with theperiphery of the record. 'l

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a still fur-` the invention is supportedon ai base-plate 13 which slides in marginal guides 14 secured to thecover 12 and is locked in its operative position by means of a set-screw15. Secured to, or extending from the base-plate 13,v is a pillar orstandard 16 in which'is mounted, each at one of its ends, a guide-rod 17and a'screw-threaded spindle 18, the outer endsA ofwhich are connectedby a bracket 19. A sleeve 20 fits slidingly on the guide-rod` 17 and hasextending from it .a frame composed of two similar and parallel sidemembers 21 spaced apart by suitable struts where required. Between thearms 21 at their outer ends is pivotally mounted va wheel '22,Y fast onthe spindle of which is a worm-wheel 23j rotatable with the wheel 22. Independing lugs-on the frame constituted by the arms 21 are pivotallymounted the twoV ends of a spindle 24, Aone end of which is formed witha worm mesh withy the worm-wheel 23.

On the spindle 24 is mounted a centrifugal governor 26 of a typecommonly employed to govern the motor-speed of gramophones and likemachines. That is t0 say the governor comprises, in the presentenibodiment, three strip-springs each with a weight secured to itsmiddle portion and each with one end anchored to an abutment 27 fast onor forming part of the spindle 24, and its other end secured to a sleeve28 slidingly mounted on the spindle 2li. To the sleeve 2S is secured abrake-disc 29 adapted to be engaged by the end of a pivoted l ral elever30, the position of which is adjusted by means of a set-screw 31.

Between the plate 13 and an abutment 32 extending from the pillar 16 isa spindle 33 having a worm 34 at its upper end and a friction-disc 35near its lower end. rlfhe worm meshes with a worm-wheel 36 fast on thespindle 13. The parts are so adjusted that the wheel 35 is brought intoengagement either with the periphery of the turntable 10, as shown inFigures 1 and 2, or with the periphery of the record itself, as shown inFigure 5. ln the latter case it is preferred that the pe 1iphery of therecord be milled or serrated as at 37 (Figure 2).

Alternatively the tooth-like portions of the edge of the record mayserve as rubbing surfaces frietionally and intermittently engaging theedge or" the wheel 35 to impart a succession of rotational impulses tothe wheel.

Secured to the sle ve 2O is a lever 33, the lower end of which ishollowed in a semiycylindrical form, the hollowed portion beingIscrew-threaded to correspond and engage with the screw-thread of thespindle 18. The, lever 38 is extended on the other side beyond the rod17 to afford a handle by which its screw-threaded extremity can be swungout of engagement with the spindle 13 and atthe same time the frame 21is swung to clear the wheel 22 from the surface of the record 11. Thelever 33 may have a certain degree of pla-y in its relation to the framein engagement with the lead-screw 13 bj means of a control spring oneend of which is indicated at 200. The parts, in their raised positions,are shown in full lines in Figure 2 and when the parts are'thus raisedthe sleeve 2O can be slid along the guide-rod 17 to any desiredposition. vWhen the sleeve 20 has been moved to the extreme end of theguide-rod 17 adjacent the pillar 16, the inner end Vof one of the arms'21 can be brought to rest on the end of a set-screw 39 carried in abracket 40 secured to the pillar 16. Thus, when the device is not in usethe wheel 22, which is preferably furnished with vrotates the wheel 22is placed in contact lbodilyv along a. radius of the record throi .alsoduring recording of sound-imprc i record, there may be tread which mightotherwise be formed were it to rest on either of those surfaces duringits periods of non-operation.

The pitch of the screw-threads on the spindle 18 is equal to the pitchof the convolutions of the spiral groove of the record 11; and thediameter of the wheel 35 is so chosen, dependent upon the diameter ofthe turnta le or record with which it is to engage, that, bv means ofthe'wori'i-gearing 341, 36 the spindle 18 is given one completerevoluticn for each complete revolution of the turntable l0. rllhe frition-disc 35 is preferably con'iposed of flexible rubber taperingtowards its outer periphery.

it will be appreciated that no governor is needed for the motor whichdrives the turntable 10 or, if a governor is provided, it will be set toallow an angular velocity t least equal to the greatest angular velocityto be attained by the turntable during the playing of the recort .f Asthe turntable with the record-surface and at the same time thescrew-threaded portion of the lever 33 meshes with the lead-screw 13 andthe disc 35 is in engagement Vwith the periphery either of theturntableor of the record. The governor 2G lmaintains the speed of the wheel 22constant and the latter inovee ,l1 a distance equal to the pitchV of thespi groove thereon during each rotation of tal record. By this means thelinear speed o' that part of the record-surface which is in contact withthe wheel 22 is 'ma' constant at all times and the reco ,i reproducingstylusfpoint is maintained the same convolution of the record-spiral asthat over whichV the wheel 22 tracks at any particular moment and is asclose to the wheel 22 as is conveniently possible. The linear speed ofthe record-groove in rela- Vtion to the stylus-point is therefore aisemaintained constant tiirougliout the entire traverse of the stylus-pointalong` the ron.,

Y ord-groove. 21 and its lower end may normally be held lui.

lt will be obvious that the apparatus may be employed, not only 'forreproducti sound from an already formed rec-ort, :"It

on a record.

,ln order to facilitate the wheel 22 on par icul t i ai provic T1*nigure 3, a graduated scale operatively connected to and parallel withVthe/.rod 17 and relatively fixed in relation to the lev Projecting fromthe leve is an index or pointer 51 which, in conjl nction with the scale5G, serves to indicate the positionof the wheel in relation to therecord-spiral. For setting the stylus-bar to the equivalent part of therecord-spiral another flatl scale, correspondingly graduated, isemployed which may be placed fiat on ythe record-surtace to radiate fromthe centre point thereof, so that the stylus-point can be placed on therecord at a position of a scale marking' corresponding to that indicatedby the pointer 5l.

Thus, ii a single record contains several elections, the commencement oteach seleci n ran be o'iven a p articular scale-number so that both tneWheel a" i can, vrith the aid ofi their s:

.L ment of any particular one oi the selections.

In Figurev 4i a similar apparatus is illustrated andrit is shown as aunitaryv structure containinga motor indicated in outline at ll. ln theposition illustrated at al the motor may be carried on the base-plate i3or a projection therefrom drives, by means of a Worm 43 on to theWorin-Wheel ln the position illustrated at 4t2 in i gure 6 the motor iscarried on the Jframe comprisingthe arms 2l and drives, by means ot aivo-rm e4, directly on to the Worm-Wheel 23.

l't' Will be realized that although the invention has been specicallydescribed as comprising' an attachment tor existing tallo infr-machine,it may equally Well be Vconstructed as part ot a talking-machine in thefirst instance.

lilodiications in details of construction can obviously be made Withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

1What l claim as my hivention and desire to secure by Letters l-)atentis l. For a gramophone, means for obtaining unit in relation to thestylus point ot the gramophone, said means'comprisingY a unitaryattachment having' in combination a friction Wheel adapted to track withits periphery substantially on the spiral of the record, a constantspeed governor geared to said liriction Wheel, and traversing meansWhich con-v stitutes part ot the attaclnnent aforesaid, which igarranged to more the l'riction Wheel across the record in av st'a'iglitradial line and which is adapted to be operatively connected with and tobe driven from a part th t is rotate. le with the record.

2. For a gramophone, means for obtaining uniform speed of the spiral ofa dise-record in relation to tbe stylus point of the gramophone, saidmeans comprising a unitafy attachment having in combinationa frictionWheel adapted to tracl: With its periphery substantially Ven the spiralot' the record, a constant speed governor geared thereto, and traversingmeans toi the friction Wlieel'to move the latter across the record in astraight radial line, one element oi said traversing means being soformedv as to engage Y with and to be di ven bythe rim of a part whichis r iatable about the axis of thev record. i

orm speed ot the spiral of a disc-record i 3. For a gram@phone,k meanstor obtaining uniform speed or" the spiral` of a disc-record in relationto the stylus point of the gramoplione, said in comprising a unitaryattachment having in combination a friction -Wheel e pted to track Withits periphery substantially on the spiral of the record, a constantsoeed goveneer` lgetta-red thereto, and traversing inea-ns for theJiiriction Wheel to move th latter across the record in a straightradial line, one element of said traversing means comprising a rotatabledisc .adapted to be brought into engagement with a d to be driven by therim of a part which is rotatableabout the axis of the record.

4. For a gramophone, means for obtainuniform speed ot thespiral of adiscrecord in relation to the stylus point of the gran'ioplione,saidmeans comprising a uni-v il ame on which vthe friction Wheel and thegovernor are mounted, and means operatively connecte-tl to saidtravelling,` iframe to enthe thread of the lead-screw.

5. For a grainoplione,` means for obtainunlorm speed oi the spiral of yadiscre rd. in relation to the stylus point of the gramophone, said meanscomprising'v a uniz attachment'having in combination a 'fon Wheeladapted to track. with its periphery substantially on, the spiral of therecord, a, constant speed governor geared thereto, traversing` means forthe friction Wheel. to moveA therlatter across the record in a straieitradial' line, said traxf'ersi-n'g A ising a lead-screw, a travellingtrame on Wl ch the friction wheel and governor are mounted, meansoperatively connected to said ira-me to engage the thread on thelead-screw, and a rotatableA disc' operativel-y connected vviththenlead-screw and adapted to engage With and Vtoy be driven by the rimosta part which vis rotatablev about e axis of the record. A

6. For a gramophonm means for obtaining uniform. speed of the spiralol adiscrecord in rela-tion to the stylus point of the p ramophone, saidyans comprisinga uniyary attachment'havingA in combination a '"riotionWheel adapted to ti cli with its pe- 'ahery substantially on the spiralof the record, a constant speed governor geared thereto, and traversingmeans for the friction. WheelY to move the latter across the record inVstraight radial line, one elementoic said traversing means comprising adisc which is so formed as to engage with and to be driven by the rim ofa part which is rotatable about the aXis of the record and which has itsmarginal portion at least made of flexible material.

7. For a gramophone, means for obtaining uniform speed of the spiral ofadiscrecord in relation to the stylus point of the gramophone, said meanscomprising a unitary attachment having in combination a friction Wheeladapted to track with its periphery substantially on the spiral of therecord, a constant speed governor geared thereto, and traversing meansfor the friction ivheel to move the latter across the record in astraight radial line, one element of said traversing means comprising adisc which is so formed as to engage with and to be driven by the rim ofa part which is rotatable about the axis of the record and Which isformed of flexible material.

8. For a gramophone, means for obtaining uniform speed of the spiral ofa discrecord in relation to the stylus point of the gramophone, saidmeans comprising a unitary attachment having in combination a frictionWheel adapted to traclr ivith its periphery substantially7 on the spiralof the record, a constant speed governor geared thereto, traversingmeans for the friction Wheel to move the latter across the record in astraight radial line, said traversing means comprising a lead-screw, atravelling frame on which the friction Wheel and governor are mounted,means operatively connected with said frame to engage the thread. of thelead-screW and means whereby said attachment can be mounted on thegramophone in such a position that the frame is moved so that thefriction Wheel traverses a straight radial line across the recordsurface.

9. For a gramophone, means for obtaining uniform speed of the spiral ofa discrecord in relation to the stylus point of the gramophone, saidmeans comprising a unitary attachment having in combination a frictionWheel adapted to track with its periphery substantially on the'spiral ofthe record, a constant speed governor geared to said friction Wheel, andtraversing means which constitutes part of the attachment aforesaid,which is arranged to move the friction Wheel across the record in astraight radial'line and which is adapted to be operatively connectedwith and to be driven from a part that is rotatable with the record, anda motor carried on said attachment and operatively connected with thefriction Wheel to rotate the latter and thereby to rotate the recordthrough the intermediary of the friction Wheel.

l0. lFor a gramophone, means for obtaining uniform speed of the spiralofV a discrec-ord in relation to the stylus point of the gramophone,said means comprising a unitary attachment having in combination aAWheel to move the friction Wheel adapted to traclr with its peripherysubstantially on the spiral of the record, a constant speed governorgeared thereto, traversing means for the friction latter across therecord in a straight radial line, said traversing means comprising alead-screw, a travelling frame on which the friction Wheel and thegovernor are mounted, and means operatively connected to said travellingframe to engage the thread of the lead-screw and so mounted that it ismovable at ivill into and out of engagement ivith the lead-screw.

ll. For a gramophone, means for obtainng uniform speed of the spiral ofa discecord in relation to the stylus point of the gramophone, saidmeans comprising a unitary attachment having in combination a frictionWheel adapted to tra-ck ivith its periphery substantially on the spiralof the record, a constant speed governor geared thereto, traversingmeans for the friction wheel to move the latter across the record. in astraight radial line, said traversing means comprising lead-screw, atravelling frame on which the friction Wheel and the governor aremounted, means operatively connected to said travelling frame to engagethe thread of the lead-screw, and means dapted to be driven from a partwhich is rotatable about the axis of the record, for rotating saidlead-screw. Y

i2. For a gra-mophone, means for obtaining uniform speed of the spiralof a discrecord in relation to the stylus point of the gramophone, saidmeans comprising a unitar),7 attachmenthaving in combination a frictionWheel adapted to traclr 'with its periphery substantially on the Vspiralof the record,a constant speed governor gearet thereto, traversing meansfor the friction Wheel to move the latter across the record in astraight radial line, said traversing means comprising a' lead-screw, atravelling frame on Which are mounted the friction ivhee and governoraforesaid and a half nut, carried by said travelling frame andadapte-.fl to engage the thread of the lead-screw, and means, driven bya part rotatable about the axis of the record, to rotate saidlead-screw.

13. For a gramophone, mear for ob aining uniform speed of the spiral ofa discrecord in relation to the stylus point of the gramophonesaid meanscomprising a unitary attachment having in combination a friction ivheeladapted to Ytrack 1with its periphery substantially on the spiral of therecord, a constant speed governor geared thereto, traversing means forthe friction Wheel to move the latter across the record in a straightradial line, said traversing means comprising a lead-screw, travellingVframe on which are mounted the 't iction Wheel and governor aforesaid, ae for said travelling frame, means carrier. on said rame to engage thethread of the leadscrevv and means, driven from a. part that isrotatable about the aXis of the record, for rotating said lead-screw.

14. For a gramophone, means Yfor obtaining uniform speed of the spiralof a discrecord in relation to the stylus point of the gramophone, saidmeans comprising a unitary attachment having in combination a frictionWheel adapted to track with its periphery substantially on the spiral ofthe record7 a constant speed governor geared thereto, traversing meansfor the friction Wheel to move the latter across the record in astraight radial line, said raversing means comprising avlead-sereiv,atravelling frame on which are mounted the friction Wheel and governoraforesaid, a guide for said iframe, and a rotatable disc geared to saidlead-screw and adapted to engage with and to be driven by the rim of apart Which is rotatable about the axis of the record, the travellingframe being such that the plane of the friction Wheel is transverse tothe axis orp the lead-screw.

l5. For a gramophone, means for obtaining uniform speed of the spiral ofa discrecord in relation to the stylus point of the gramophone, saidmeans comprising a unitary attachment having in combination a supportingplate adapted to be secured to a part of the gramophone, an uprightpillar on said plate, a lead-screw extending` laterllv from said pillar,a guide parallel With and spaced from said lead-screw, a travellingframe mounted to slide on said guide, a friction Wheel and a constantspeed governor geared thereto, both mounted on said frame so that theplane of the frictionV Wheel is transverse to the axis or" theleadscrew, a rotatable disc also mounted on said supporting plate andhaving a flexible margin to engage With and to be driven by the rim of apart that is rotatable about the axis of the record, and a pivoted armmounted on said travelling frame and bearing on it a half nut to engagethe thread of the leadscrew, the said arm being so disposed that it maybe moved about its pivot at Will into and out from engagement with saidleadscrew, substantially as described.

ln testimony vvhereof I affix my signature. Y

NOEL PEMBERTON-BILLING.

